Radio antenna



May 6, 1941. s. o. BENSON RADIO ANTENNA Filed July 26, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. George 0. Bnson x T'TORN Y.

y 1:941 a 0., BENSON 2,240,488 RADIO AkTENNA Filed July 26, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J15; 10? Jay. 16.

I 1 M l y x r a5 ,53 INVENTOR.

BY G aorge, O; Benson WW ATTORNEY.

Patented May 6, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE.

RADIO ANTENNA Application July 26, 1938, Serial No. 221,337

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a new and improved adjustable radio antenna, and has for its object the provision of an inexpensive antenna free from the objectionable features of the antenna heretofore known to the art.

It is a well recognized fact that an antenna should extend well into the air in order that the receiving set connected therewith may function better in picking up signals. In other words, an antenna that extends well into the air enables the radio set connected therewith to pick up signals of an intensity below that of the signals that can be picked up satisfactorily with a less extensive antenna.

In certain installations of radios, particularly those in automobiles, it is highly desirable that the antenna be adjustable as to height. On the one hand, it is desirable to have an extended antenna for the reason stated above. On the other hand, it frequently is desirable to shorten the antenna in order to have it clear obstructions, such as garage door-ways, shrubbery and low hanging branches of trees, and, under certain conditions, to eliminate noises occasioned by distant storms and other causes of what is commonly referred to as static. These two requirements make it desirable to provide an antenna that is adjustable as to height.

One of the most widely used types of adjustable antenna has been that comprising one member telescoping within another. That type of antenna has several objectionable features, one being that it closely resembles a fish pole and does not harmonize with the lines, decoration or trim of a modern automobile; another is that it is expensive because at least one of the members must be tubular, and suitable tubular material is expensive. A more serious objection than either of those, however, is that it is exceedingly difiicult, if not impossible, to avoid rattles induced by the vibration of the car when one member is telescoped within another.

Another serious objection to the telescoping type of antenna is that the electrical connections between the members is variable, at best, and frequently is poor, and thus the purpose of an extended antenna is defeated. In fact, an antenna with a variable electrical contact between the members is worse than a shorter antenna Without such defect because the reception of the set, with the former antenna, varies with each change in the contact resistance between the various members of the antenna and these changes are almost constantly taking place in the adjustable antenna of the prior art.

One reason for the defective electrical characteristics of the telescoping type of antenna is that it is exceedingly diificult to obtain tubing of uniform internal diameter, it being realized that,

where electrical contacts are concerned, small differences in diameter of the tubing are of great consequence.

The difiiculty in devising satisfactory electrical contacts in an adjustable tubular antenna is also aggravated by the fact that such contacts are necessarily inside the tubes where they are inaccessible for adjustment.

The present invention overcomes the abovementioned and other objections to the telescopaing type antenna and to the other types of adjustable antennae heretofore known to the art.

Reference to the accompanying drawings Will provide a clear understanding of the present invention. In the drawings,-

Figure 1 is an elevation of one modification of the present invention in its shortened form; and

Figure -2 is an elevation of the same modification in a partially extended form; and

Figure 3 is a plan view of one type of yoke used in the construction of an antenna of the present invention; and

Figure 4 is a sectional view, in the plane IV-IV of Figure 3, of the yoke shown in elevation in Figure 3; and Figure 5 is a plan view of another type of yoke suitable for the construction of another modification of the present invention; and

Figure 6 is an elevation of the yoke of which Figure 5 is a plan view; and v Figure 7 is a plan view of another type of yoke suitable for the construction of another modification of the present invention; and

-Figure 8 is an elevation of the yoke of which Figure 7 is a plan view; and

Figure 9 is a plan view of another modification of a yoke suitable for use in the construction of an antenna of the present invention; and

Figure 10 is an elevation of the connector of which Figure 9 is a plan view; and

Figure 11 is an elevation of the bottom portion of another modification of an antenna of the present invention; and

Figure 12 is an elevation of an antenna of the present invention and shows means for attaching the antenna to an automobile and means for connecting the antenna to the lead wire to the receiving set; and

Figure 13 is an elevation of an antenna of the present invention and shows means for attaching the antenna to an automobile and means for connecting the antenna to the lead wire to the receiving set; and

Figure 14 is an elevation of the lower part of an antenna of the present invention; and

Figure 15 is a side elevation of the connecting means shown in front elevation in Figure 13; and

Figure 16 is a side elevation of the connecting means shown in front elevation in Figure 12; and

Figure 17 is a side elevation of the attachment means shown in front elevation in Figure 12 and Figure 13; and

Figure 18 is a plan View of the attachment bracket shown in side elevation in Figur 14.

Figures 1 and 2 show an antenna comprising a plurality of metal rods I joined at the bottom by means of a metal yoke 2, and at the top by another metal yoke 3. As illustrated, the rods 1 are of substantially the same length and are in parallel, coextensive, spaced apart relationship.

The metal yoke 4 with the metal rod rigidly fastened thereto, is in slidable relationship with the said spaced apart rods l'.

The top yoke 3 and the slidable yoke 4 are of particular significance in the present invention because it is by means of these yokes that the contact between the movable member and the stationary member is made and one modification thereof is shown in detail in Figure 3 and Figure 4. This modification comprises a metal block ID with holes II and I2 therein and springs l3 encircling the webs 14 between the holes H and 62. The holes H and 12 have recesses I6 longi tudinal thereof which serve to receive the springs 13 when rods are inserted in the holes II and I2. As shown in Figure 4, the webs l4 between the holes II and I2 do not extend from one face of the block to the other, and there thus is provided a channel l5 at the top and at the bottom of the yoke, where the springs [3 are received.

The modification of a yoke shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 is of particular interest because it is suitable for use in all three positions, namely, at the top, at the bottom, and as the slidable member. When used at the top and/or as a slidable member the springs l3 serve to maintain good mechanical and electrical connections between the rods l and 5.

When used in the top position the rods I push the springs away from the holes II and into the hole 12 into which the rod 5 is inserted. The springs l3 are of such size, and the webs M between the holes are of such thickness that although the springs are crowded out of the holes ll they still can provide resilient connection between the rod 5 and the yoke 3 because they can move out of the hole l2 and closer to the web I4.

When used as the slidable yoke the reverse of the above takes place. In this case the rod 5 is tightly fitted into the hole l2 and thus pushes the springs 13 away from that hole. Then when the rods l are inserted into the holes H the springs move out of the holes H and closer to the web 14.

When used as a permanent connecting yoke as at 2, the springs can be omitted.

The modification of a yoke shown in Figure 5 and Figure 6 comprises a metal block 20 having the metal rod 5 received in a hole in said block and joined to said block, and the metal rods 1 in slidable relationship with the said block. As shown in Figure 5 the block 20 has slots 23 cut therein in a plane extending through the center lines of the holes in which the outer rods I are located. These slots 23 extend the full thickness of the yoke, but stop short of the hole in which the center rod 5 is located. By making the holes through which the rods I pass of such size that the rods spring the tongues 24 and 25 apart slightly as they are inserted in the holes there is thus provided springs which slidably engage said rods.

Figure 7 and Figure 8 illustrate a type of yoke suitable for use as a slidable yoke. It comprises two metal spring members 30 of relatively great width, relative to their length, fastened to the rod 5 by means of rivets 32, and capable of sliding on, while maintaining close contact with, the metal rods l which form a sort of framework with the non-sliding yokes 2 and 3.

The yoke modification shown in Figure 9 and Figure 10 comprises a metal body portion with through holes 4| of a diameter suitable to receive the rods l in the manner shown in Figure l4, and a hole 42 tapped to receive a stud.

In Figure 11 there is shown a yoke 5| formed by bending a rod double on itself. The rods I of this modification are joined at the opposite end by any suitable yoke, such as that illustrated in Figure 3 and Figured.

Figure 12 shows an antenna of the present in vention provided with attachment means 6| located near the top of its lower member, and a connecting pin 62 tightly received in the hole l2 in the lower yoke 2.

The attachment means BI is shown in more detail in Figure 17. As shown there, it comprises a head member "H of insulating material with an apron I2 attached thereto by any suitable means, and a rubber suction cup 13 attached to the head member H by any suitable means.

The antenna shown in Figure 13 is the same type as that shown in Figure 12 except that the attachment means Si is shown close to the bottom of the lower member and that the connecting pin 63 tightly received in the hole 12 in the yoke 2 is of slightly different shape.

The attachment means 6| illustrated in Figiu'e 17 requires three holes through its head 7| for use as shown in Figure 12 and two holes through its head when used as shown in Figure 13. If desired, the head H can be drilled, cut out and equipped with springs in the same manner as is shown in Figure 3 of the yoke, but this usually is not necessary because no electrical connection is made with the insulator head TI and rattles do not develop because of the non-metallic nature of the head "H. The head ll, however, can be used to form the terminal for the lead wire of the receiving set if it is made of metal and provided with suitable connecting means for the lead wire. In such case, the head would be placed as near to the bottom end of the antenna as possible and the connecting pin shown in Figure 13 would be omitted. To secure adequate electrical connection between the head II and the rods l the head "H could be made in two pieces, that is, two disc'- like members with matching grooves therein, and these could be drawn together to tightly clamp the rods 1.

The connecting pins 52 and 63 shown in Figure 12, Figure 13, Figure 15 and Figure 16 are of metal and are bent to the desired shape. One end thereof is received snugly in the holes 12 in the yokes 2 and the other end thereof is flared (flaring not shown) to engage with the inner surface of the connecting nut 64, which is threaded on the inside (threading not shown) to connect with a suitable stud 65. The nuts 64 can turn on the pins 62 and and when drawn down tightly on the studs 65 cause a good mechanical and electrical connection between said pins and said studs. The stud 65 passes through the sheet metal 65 of the automobile body and connects with a lead in cable 61 on the inside of the car. The nuts 68 are threaded on the stud 65 and when drawn up on the stud clamp the stud tightly to the sheet metal 66. A metal washer 69 and a rubber washer are placed under the nut 68 in order to provide Water tightness.

The modification of the lower part of the antenna shown in Figure 14 comprises a metal yoke 40 of the same kind as described in connection with Figure 9 and Figure 10, with two rods I tightly received in holes provided therein, two insulating members 8| and a bracket 82, all held together by means of the stud 83 and the nut 84, which bears against the washer 85.

The bracket 82, shown in elevation in Figure 14 and in plan view in Figure 18, can be of any material having sufficient strength for the purpose, but as illustrated in these drawings is made of metal and is provided with a large hole into which an insulating washer 92 with a hole 93 is inserted. The assembly shown in Figure 14 provides mounting means insulated from the antenna and also provides connecting means for the lead to the receiving set in that the end of the lead wire can be inserted between the nut 84 and the washer 85 and tightly held in such location by drawing the nut up on the stud 83,

The term rods has been used throughout this specification in reference to the vertical members I and 5, which are illustrated in the drawings as being solid. However, if desired, these members can be made of tubular material without encountering the difficulties attending the use of tubular material in telescoping antennae, because the outside of tubular material is quite uniform whereas the inside is not, and also because the constructions illustrated and described herein readily adapt themselves to variations in the outside diameter of the rod-like members and provide good electrical and mechanical connections regardless of such variations. Thus the term rods is intended to include not only solid members but hollow or tubular members as well.

The antenna of the present invention possesses many advantages over those heretofore known. It is of pleasing appearance in itself, and when attached to an automobile it harmonizes with the lines and trimming thereof and creates the impression that it is a part of the car and not some appendage that was added as an afterthought.

The antenna of the present invention has the further advantage that it can be attached to an automobile at almost any place that one may wish to attach an antenna, and does not require elaborate adaptors to accomplish this purpose.

An outstanding advantage of the antenna of the present invention is that it is mechanically and electrically a unit. It is free from the annoyance of rattles and vibrations of one metal part against another.

The antenna of the present invention in addition to being mechanically and electrically sound is inexpensive to manufacture. In the embodiments illustrated in the appended drawings, the vertical members are made of drawn wire of suitable gauge, and drawn wire is one of the most inexpensive forms in which metal can be fabricated. The yokes are of simple construction and can be made at very low cost, and their combination with the rod members can be effected simply and without expensive machines or tools. The use of yokes of the type illustrated in Figure 3 and Figure 4 makes it possible to effect further economy of manufacture because, as has been pointed out above, the same form can be used for all three yokes illustrated in the assembly drawings and also because the body portion thereof can be made by die casting.

While certain specific embodiments have been illustrated and described in this specification the invention is not limited to such modifications but is defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. As a new article of manufacture, a radio antenna comprising a plurality of metal rods of substantially the same length in parallel, coextensive, spaced apart relationship, yokes joining the rods at their ends, another yoke positioned between the end yokes and slidably engaging the said rods by spring means, whereby uniform electrical contact is maintained between said slidable yoke and said rods, and a metal rod in slidable relationship with one of the end yokes and fastened to the said slidable yoke.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a radio antenna comprising two metal rods of substantially the same length in parallel, coextensive, spaced apart relationship, yokes joining the rods at their ends, another yoke positioned between the end yokes in slidable contact with the said rods and having holes therein, said slidable yoke having slots in the ends thereof extending par allel to the direction of said rods and into the rod receiving holes thereof, whereby uniform electrical contact is maintained between said slidable yoke and said rods, and a metal rod in slidable relationship with one end yoke and fastened to said slidable yoke.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a radio antenna comprising two metal rods of substantially the same length in parallel, coextensive, spaced apart relationship, yokes joining the rods at their ends, another yoke positioned between the end yokes in slidable electrical contact with said rods and having springs therein which slidably engage with said rods, and a metal rod in slidable relationship with one end yoke and fastened to said slidable yoke.

4. As a new article of manufacture, a radio antenna comprising a plurality of metal rods of substantially the same length in parallel, coextensive, spaced apart relationship, yokes joining the rods at their ends, a metal rod in slidable relationship with one of the end yokes and fastened to a yoke positioned between said end yokes and in slidable engagement with the fixed rods, said slidable yoke comprising two metal spring members drawn into firm contact with said slidable rod, whereby uniform electrical contact is maintained between said slidable yoke and said spaced apart rods.

5. As a new article of manufacture, a radio antenna comprising two metal rods of substantially the same length in parallel, coextensive, spaced apart'relationship, yokes joining the rods at their ends, another yoke positioned between the end yokes in slidable electrical contact with said rods and having a hole therein, and a metal rod in slidable relationship with one end yoke and having one end thereof received and fastened in said hole in said slidable yoke, the said slidable yoke comprising a block of metal having holes therein to receive the coextensive rods and a spring encircling the web between two adjacent holes.

6. As a new article of manufacture, a radio antenna comprising two metal rods of substantially the same length in parallel, coextensive, spaced apart relationship, yokes joining the rods at their ends, another yoke positioned between the end yokes in slidable electrical contact with said rods and having a hole therein, and a metal rod in slidable relationship with one end yoke, which 10 

